When To Fertilize Lavender

Knowing when to fertilize lavender is the single most important factor for keeping your plants healthy and blooming. Get the timing wrong, and you might end up with weak growth or no flowers at all.

Lavender is a unique plant. It thrives on neglect, especially when it comes to feeding. This guide will walk you through the simple calendar for fertilizing lavender, ensuring you provide just enough nutrition without harming your plants.

This heading sums up the entire goal. The best time to feed your lavender is in the early spring, just as you see new growth starting to emerge. This gives the plant a gentle boost as it exits dormancy and prepares for its flowering cycle.

A second, optional feeding can be done after the first major bloom is harvested or fades. This is only for well-established plants in poor soil. For most gardeners, the single spring feeding is perfect.

Why Lavender’s Fertilizer Needs Are Different

Lavender is native to the dry, rocky hillsides of the Mediterranean. The soil there is lean, meaning it has low fertility and excellent drainage. Overly rich, moist soil is the enemy of lavender.

Too much fertilizer, especially nitrogen, causes several problems:

Excessive, soft green growth that is prone to flopping over.
Reduced production of the essential oils that give lavender its fragrance.
Increased susceptibility to root rot and winter damage.
A shorter lifespan for the plant overall.

The Ideal Fertilizer Schedule by Season

Follow this simple seasonal calendar to keep your lavender on track.

Early Spring: The Main Feeding

This is the non-negotiable time to fertilize. Look for signs of life at the base of the plant—small, green buds breaking up on the woody stems. The ground should be workable, not frozen.

What to use: A balanced, organic, slow-release fertilizer is ideal. Options include:

Compost or well-rotted manure: A thin top-dressing scratched into the soil.
Alfalfa meal or kelp meal: A light sprinkling around the plant base.
A general-purpose organic fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio like 5-5-5.

Late Spring / Early Summer: The Optional Feeding

If your lavender is over three years old and growing in very sandy, poor soil, you can consider a light feeding after you’ve cut the first flower spikes. This helps the plant recover some energy.

Never fertilize after mid-summer. Late feeding promotes new, tender growth that won’t harden off before frost, leading to winter kill.

Fall and Winter: Absolutely No Fertilizer

This is a period of rest. Fertilizing now would be a major mistake. You want the plant to slow its growth and toughen up for the cold months ahead.

Step-by-Step: How to Fertilize Lavender Correctly

Doing it right is as important as timing. Here’s the safe method.

Water the plant lightly a day before if the soil is very dry. This prevents root shock.
Apply your chosen fertilizer sparingly. For a mature plant, a handful of compost or a tablespoon of granular fertilizer is plenty.
Spread it in a circle around the plant, starting a few inches from the main stem and going out to the drip line (where the foliage ends).
Gently scratch the fertilizer into the top inch of soil with a hand fork.
Water lightly again to help settle the nutrients into the soil, but avoid drenching.

Choosing the Best Fertilizer for Lavender

Not all plant food is created equal for lavender. You want to avoid high-nitrogen formulas designed for lawns or leafy vegetables.

Organic & Slow-Release: This is the safest choice. They feed the plant gradually, mimicking natural soil conditions.
Low Nitrogen (N): Look for the first number in the N-P-K ratio to be equal to or lower than the others (e.g., 5-5-5, 3-4-4).
With Calcium: Lavender often benefits from a bit of lime or a fertilizer containing calcium, as it prefers slightly alkaline soil.

A simple mixture of garden compost and a handful of bone meal (for phosphorus) in the spring covers most needs perfectly.

Signs You Are Over-Fertilizing Your Lavender

Lavender will tell you if it’s getting to much food. Watch for these warnings:

Lanky, weak stems that flop open in the center of the plant.
Lots of green leaves but very few flower spikes.
A lack of the strong, characteristic lavender scent from the foliage.
Yellowing leaves, which can ironically also be a sign of overwatering or poor drainage.

If you see this, stop fertilizing immediately. You may need to prune back the leggy growth and ensure the soil drainage is excellent.

Special Cases: Potted Lavender and New Plants

These situations require slight adjustments to the general rules.

Fertilizing Lavender in Containers

Potted lavender needs a bit more attention because nutrients wash out of the drainage holes. Use a very light hand.

Use a half-strength dose of liquid organic fertilizer in early spring.
You can repeat at half-strength once in early summer if the plant looks pale.
Always ensure your potting mix is very gritty and well-draining to begin with.

Feeding Newly Planted Lavender

When you first plant lavender, you shouldn’t need to fertilize it at all. The key is to prepare the soil properly at planting time.

Mix a generous amount of coarse sand or grit into the native soil to improve drainage.
Add a shovelful of compost to the planting hole for gentle, long-term nutrition.
After planting, do not add additional fertilizer in the first year. Let the plant establish its roots.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Let’s review the big errors so you can steer clear of them.

Fertilizing at planting time: This can burn delicate new roots.
Using a high-nitrogen fertilizer: This pushes leaf growth at the expense of flowers and hardiness.
Feeding in late summer or fall: This stimulates vulnerable new growth before winter.
Overwatering after feeding: Lavender hates wet feet. Keep water light.
Assuming more is better: With lavender, less is definitly more when it comes to plant food.

FAQ: Your Lavender Fertilizer Questions Answered

Can I use Miracle-Gro on lavender?

It’s not recommended. Most Miracle-Gro formulas are high in nitrogen and fast-release, which promotes the soft, weak growth lavender is prone to. An organic, slow-release option is a much safer bet.

Is Epsom salt good for lavender?

Epsom salt provides magnesium. Only use it if a soil test confirms a deficiency, which is rare. Unnecessary use can harm the soil structure. It’s not a standard part of lavender care.

How often should you feed lavender plants?

For in-ground plants, once a year in early spring is sufficient. For pots, a light feeding in spring and possibly a second light feeding in early summer is the maximum.

What is the best natural fertilizer for lavender?

A top-dressing of homemade compost or well-rotted manure is excellent. You can combine it with a sprinkle of bone meal for root and flower support.

Should you fertilize lavender in the fall?

No. Never fertilize lavender in the fall. This is a critical rule. Fall feeding can damage the plant’s ability to survive the winter.

Why is my lavender not blooming?

Over-fertilizing (especially with nitrogen) is a common cause. Other reasons include not enough sun, pruning at the wrong time, or the plant being to young. Always check your fertilization habits first.

Remember, the secret to lush, fragrant, and long-lived lavender is simple soil and smart timing. By feeding only in early spring with a gentle fertilizer, you work with the plant’s natural needs. This approach encourages strong roots, abundant blooms, and a resilience that lets your lavender thrive for years to come. Stick to the schedule, watch your plants for signals, and enjoy the beautiful, low-maintenance results.